94.7 is changing formats today

[Theater of My Mind]

I like what they're doing. The first couple of songs sound promising. Hopefully this is not a "fad" format...we will see what they do to avoid the burn out factor.

The format has a history in other markets of coming strong out of the gate and then losing some steam.
What are the top classic hip hop stations right now, and how do they rank in their markets?

 

[chrocket87]

Every year from 2013 to 2018 it billed over $5 million. Still horrible for NYC.

How much is WNYL billing? I can’t imagine it being much better than WNSH was.

I know the pandemic has done a number on revenues just about everywhere, but under $2.5 million in NYC!?! Yikes!

 

[erwin33]

It's all 90's and newer. NKOTB was the only 80's track so far?

 

[TheBigA]

They could relocate them elsewhere or still produce them from NYC,

Sure, they already originate the night show in Detroit, so they could move production there.

 

[Jonathan]

This sounding interesting so far. But when are they change transmitter sites? Is it still in Newark?

Outsider here: Why would they change the transmitter site?

 

[david]

Wouldn't shock me if the new station generates a 4 share or better in its first full ratings survey.
This is gonna draw listeners away from multiple stations in the market. Might even cannibalize New 102.7 to a minor extent.

KDAY 93.5 FM in Los Angeles, which has a similar hip hop / back in the day format, generally is the second or third highest rank Class A signal in the market (6+). 93.5 FM has even more signal challenges that suburban NYC's 94.7 yet still manages to consistently perform quite nicely. A 4 share is quite a high aspiration, especially as 94.7 will have nearly no retention of its previous audience, meaning those 4 share listeners will need to find out about THE BLOCK first. If Audacy plans a big advertising campaign, with lots of OOH (out of home) messaging, then I can see the station doing very well. Last thought, to maintain an audience after the novelty period wears off, THE BLOCK is going to need to maintain high street visibility - sponsor events, concerts, contests, etc. Again, KDAY in LA provides some good examples for how to keep this format fresh and viable.

 

[TheBigA]

Outsider here: Why would they change the transmitter site?

Here's the story on that from two years ago:

Radio Industry News, New Music, Music Promotion, Radio Station Song Charts

All Access offers the latest radio industry news and music news, music promotions for record companies new music, radio station song charts, and much more. AllAccess.com has been serving the radio and music industry since 1995, always bringing you the highest quality content with...

www.allaccess.com

 

[luperm]

Outsider here: Why would they change the transmitter site?

Transmitter is currently in West Orange, NJ. There's a CP to move it to one of the WOR sticks in the Meadowlands to get the transmitter a bit closer to the heart of the metro. Still will not result in coverage that is on par with the full Class B stations on Empire.

Last time I drove by the WOR site, I hadn't seen any sign of a new antenna.

 

[davideduardo]

KDAY 93.5 FM in Los Angeles, which has a similar hip hop / back in the day format, generally is the second or third highest rank Class A signal in the market (6+). 93.5 FM has even more signal challenges that suburban NYC's 94.7 yet still manages to consistently perform quite nicely.

But the KDAY signal, originating in the Baldwin Hills, is smack dab in the center of the Black community and very well situated for much of the Hispanic community in South Central and East LA. That site is the same as used by KRCD, which (without its simulcast partner) has in the past exceeded a 3 share in 25-54 from that location.

The Block is not as well positioned, and has trouble in much of the high-rise and apartment building areas of NYC. Since commuter listening is lower among Blacks and Hispanics who overindex in use of public transportation in the NYC metro, this format depends on good in-home and at-work listening.

 

[Barry]

Are there any suburban stations that may be a good candidate for a flip to Country?

 

[MikeyD]

Are there any suburban stations that may be a good candidate for a flip to Country?

In northern NJ, WDHA has the right signal to go country. But I think they do fairly well with their current format.
In Central NJ, WMGQ 98.3 is the strongest local signal. I tihnk they do well locally too.
At the NJ Shore, 106.3 is already country.

 

[davideduardo]

In northern NJ, WDHA has the right signal to go country. But I think they do fairly well with their current format.

They take 90% of the revenue in their embedded market.

In Central NJ, WMGQ 98.3 is the strongest local signal. I tihnk they do well locally too.

They do, and they are outside the NYC Metro Survey Area.

 

[billalm]

Isn't a market like New York taking advantage of streaming and showing ratings in that capacity? Shouldn't they make an impact simply by driving listeners to the streaming and smart speakers? I mean... is the 94.7 signal that important if advertised correctly?

 

[AMRocks]

94.7 The Block. It's already on the Audacy site. A throwbacks format apparently. Or a stunt.

They have been already using that slogan in Greenville Spartanburg for several years. It's actually on a bunch of translators throughout the market and pretty decent ratings. (Although it's FAR from classic hip hop.) It gets sound a 2.0 each ratings period. Not bad for some translators.

 

[Justincredible]

New calls will be WXBK, application filed today.

 

[TheBigA]

Here's a link to their new Facebook page, launched 10-18-21:

94.7 THE BLOCK

94.7 THE BLOCK. 5,325 likes · 74 talking about this. New York's #1 for Throwbacks! Always live on the free Audacy app.

www.facebook.com

New York, we BUILT hip-hop, and now you're gonna help build #947TheBlock - New York's #1 For Throwbacks. Call us. Let us know what you think. Let us know what you want to hear.

New website:

New Yorks #1 For Throwbacks | 94.7 The Block | WXBK-FM

New York's #1 Station for Throwbacks is here. See station playlist, host lineup, contests, audio and blogs. Listen LIVE on Audacy!

www.audacy.com

 

[AMRocks]

Is anyone able to listen to the new format on the app?

I'm still hearing country and the logo shows HD2 now. (When I look in the "Recently Played," it IS showing all the songs you're talking about on here, but it's not what I'm actually hearing.

 

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

https://news.****************/cgi-bin/rol.exe/headline_id=n41258

The block is on.

 

[Barry]

New York's Country on the app is now nothing more than uninterrupted Country songs, except for an occasional playing of the former station's jingle.
I believe this is what is being simulcast on the WNSH HD2, but that channel has been very difficult for me to receive over the air.

 

[Theater of My Mind]

New York's Country on the app is now nothing more than uninterrupted Country songs, except for an occasional playing of the former station's jingle.
I believe this is what is being simulcast on the WNSH HD2, but that channel has been very difficult for me to receive over the air.

Yes the HD2 is running the country format. I can get it OTA